Dissecting all things Australian (and international) football, with a particular angle to what's happening where it really counts, on the field and in the manager's mind

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Depth in numbers saves the Socceroos

Pre Asian Cup friendly, Singapore 0 v Socceroos 3

NO doubt about it, last night's 3-0 scoreline flattered the Socceroos. But it also proved that Graham Arnold has a deep squad and plenty of attacking options, something that could prove telling in the heat and humidity of Asia throughout the upcoming month.

Ultimately, it wasn't until Harry Kewell and Archie Thompson were introduced in the final 30 minutes, against the tiring Singaporeans, that the gulf in class between these two sides really told.

For much of the opening hour, the hosts, led defensively by skipper Aide Iskandar (#5) and inspired by the front duo of Indra Sahdan and the very impressive and mobile Khairul Amri (#19) punched well above their weight.

Indeed, it wasn't until the hard-working defensive midfielder Mustafic Fahruddin and skipper Iskandar limped off late in the second period that the Socceroos were finally able to put the game to bed.

Pressing the Socceroos all over the pitch, Singapore were able to frustrate Australia's attack, especially our two wide players in Marco (or is it Mark?) Bresciano and Mile Sterjovski. They took a particular liking to the Palermo man, snapping at his heels and getting in his back every time he dropped to receive the ball.

Meanwhile, Singapore's English left back Daniel Bennett was doing an admirable job of denying Sterjovski the ball.

Even our big man up top, skipper Mark Viduka, was rarely allowed the luxury to receive and turn, Singapore's wonderfully named Nigerian stopper, Precious Emuejeraye, doubling up with Iskander to restrict Viduka from facing goal.

But the big man, in his current form (and mood), is such a class act he was able to withstand the pressure and do as he does best - bring his teammates into the game. His reward was a couple of much-overdue goals, hopefully a sign that he is about to dominate these smaller Asian defences.

No-one profited more from his offerings than the second striker Brett Holman, ghosting into the box late to get on the end of a number of chances. Still feeling his way into the national set-up, the pity was that he often rushed, subsequently snapping and mis-hitting his chances.

On another night, with a Cahill, Kewell or even a Carle tucked in behind Viduka, Australia might have racked up a few early ones.

As it was, Singapore gradually got themsleves into the game, and looked particualrly effervescent on the counter-attack. It was clever work from their Serbian manager, Radojko Avramovic, who set out a neat template and has clearly got this team ticking in the right direction.

No one was more impressive than Amri, a constant headache for our back four, whether he popped up on the right, left or through the middle. A class act, it is little wonder he has bagged so many in the S-League.

Profitting from his workrate was his co-striker Indra, who had a number of chances either denied by the post or the big frame of Mark Schwarzer.

Perhaps the Socceroos had been guilty of underestimating the hosts a fraction. One of the sloppiest in the first period was Lucas Neill, who twice gave the ball away in trying to build from the back.

The first time he left Patrick Kisnorbo isolated and the Leciester man reacted to an early long ball by fouling his man and earning a yellow. The second time he was no doubt greatful that Schwarzer stood up to Indra.

Indeed, the back four often looked shaky, rarely being in touch with each other. There is little doubt the Socceroos currently play an attractive game built around controlling the ball. But it is also a high risk game and the team must remember that it not only has to control possession, but it has to control the opposition.

That can hardly be said of last night's performance. Singapore provided somewhat of a template for other teams; if you like to build through the counter-attack, Arnold's men often looked prime for the picking.

How Arnold handles the balance between getting enough men forward and not leaving the team exposed could decide the Socceroos fate in Bangkok (and beyond, if there is to be one).

Indeed, it wasn't the greatest night for the defensive axis, with Emerton also below his best, partly due to an excellent contribution from Singapore left midfielder Si Jia Yi, while Vince Grella had one of his more quiet nights of late, looking tired. Little doubt the conditions and the recent double-sessions played a part.

But the good news is that they were able to ride their luck enough for Kewell to again make a sparkling contribution in the green and gold. While Liverpool fans - my hand is up - are often left frustrated by Kewell's injures and hot and cold form, there is no-one who can doubt his efforts and match-winning contributions for the Socceroos over the past 11 years.

The hope is that he can stay on the pitch long enough over the next 28 days to win Australia some silverware. Little doubt his partnership with Dukes offers mouth-watering prospects.

With the likes of Bresciano, Culina, Emerton, Sterjovski, Neill and Viduka coming off taxing European seasons, the hope is that the freshness of Kewell, Cahill, Thompson and Carle can provide a spark.

Little doubt that Arnold is blessed with one of the deepest squads in Asia and that could prove telling.

4 Comments:

It's true about Australia's depth in midfield, although I feel the stocks are fairly short both in defence and at the pointy end (perhaps not by comparison to our Asian peers, though). Certainly, if Viduka leaves after the Asian Cup it will leave a massive gap.

P.S. Might see you at the Blacktown v. Mariners game next Sat. - and I'd be delighted if you could come to my anniversary bash afterwards if you're able.

I am very worried about the centre and left back positions. Kisnorbo didnt do too badly but Beauchamp looked uncomfortable (again) and I think Thwaite should be given the chance in the middle alongside Neill.

As for left back it's a major concern.If Hiddink was in charge i am sure he would play only with a back three and have Culina or Carney play in a left midfield role (3-4-3) as he did against Croatia and Brazil in WC06. I hope Arnie is thinking about that cos Wilkshire was also unimpressive.

.....Might see you at the Blacktown v. Mariners game next Sat. - and I'd be delighted if you could come to my anniversary bash afterwards if you're able....

Mike, firstly, congrats on making it to the one year....Massive effort on your part writing almost daily, keep up the great work....thanks for the heads-up re Blacktown v the Mariners game. I understand it's at 5.30, right? Will let you know by txt if I'm able to make it....ditto re the bash....either way, hope to catch up again soon...

....Mark...

Thanks Mark(co).

.....I am very worried about the centre and left back positions. Kisnorbo didnt do too badly but Beauchamp looked uncomfortable (again) and I think Thwaite should be given the chance in the middle alongside Neill....

Peter, thanks for the comment. Like you, I didnt think Kisnorbo was our worst but there's no doubt he did panic when left one on one (that time Neill pressed forward and coughed up the ball), fouling his man when a bit of composure was called for - goodness knows he had the pace to stay on his feet rather than give away a yellow. Beauchamp, meanwhile, looked a little hesitant for me. The impression though from Mike Cockerill's article in today's herald is that Beauchmap is in with a sniff of snarring the birth alongside Neill....Re Thwaite/Kisnorbo/Bauchamp, there's not much between the three at the moment, so it might come down to whoever is begging for it at training.

......As for left back it's a major concern.If Hiddink was in charge i am sure he would play only with a back three and have Culina or Carney play in a left midfield role (3-4-3) as he did against Croatia and Brazil in WC06. I hope Arnie is thinking about that cos Wilkshire was also unimpressive....

It's all interesting isnt it. The advantage for Hiddink is that he had Chipperfield, who offered him so many options. He could play him at left back in a back four or at left stopper in a back three, with Neill central and Moore at right stopper....on one occassion at the WC, Hiddink even had him playing as the left midfielder/wingback......the pity for Arnold is that Chipperfield's absence means there's no natural replacement....but i can see where you're going with the 3-4-3....The thing I've noticed about Arnold of late is that he's taking us back to the days of a rigid formation, whereas the beauty under Hiddink was the ability to tailor a formation to suit the opposition...if they played 2 up front (like Singapore), we'd go with three at the back....if they went with three up front (like Uruguay), we reverted to a back four. For me, it kept the opposition guessing and kept us in control...I haven't seen this same flexibilty under Arnold.